Over 600 books already sold!

Twenty-seven food bloggers from around the world have quickly acted on the need for food and aid in Haiti following the January 12th earthquake by compiling a cookbook. Quite possibly the fastest concept-to-publication book in history (the idea came January 14th; the full-colour cookbook, including photographs of each recipe, was completed February 3rd), all proceeds from book sales will support Haitian relief via the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders. On the day of its release, the cookbook raised over $10,000; the Canadian Government will double those dollars, as well as any others raised, until February 12th.

Each writer, chef and blogger contributed their own recipes and accompanying photos; contributors ranged from a 16 year old high school student with celiac to Chef Michael Smith, best known as Chef at Home and Chef Abroad on Food Network Canada, who was quick to jump on board, despite being busy at athlete’s village as the executive chef for the upcoming Olympics. George Brookman, past president of the Calgary Stampede and CEO of West Canadian Graphics in Calgary, enthusiastically rallied his team to make arrangements for a new print-on-demand system that allows buyers to purchase the book online and have it printed and shipped in real time, eliminating the need to rely on the more time-costly traditional large-run printing route.

Printing partners West Canadian Graphics and Blurb.com in San Francisco were instrumental in supporting the efforts of the designers, artists and contributors as they brought the book to life. Graphic designer Cathryn Ironside spent hundreds of hours on the layout and design; the book is 7”x7”, 110 pages and full colour with a soft-cover ($25) as well as a hard-cover ($50) option.